The knock at the door alerted the trio that their expected guest had arrived. "I'll get it" Ingo stated as he lifted himself off the couch towards their front door. On the other side was the doctor he called, dressed smartly, caring a satchel in hand and an Audino following him.
"Hello Subway boss Ingo, I'm Dr Tajiri" He greeted.
"Hello, thanks for coming, please come in" He moved aside to let him in.
"So this little guy must be my patient today" he said with a smile looking down at the frightened little one still perched on the couch, trying to make himself look small enough to disappear.
"Yes, I found him wondering the forest alone, I called a home visit cause he doesn't speak English and I'm worrying about stressing him out to much." Ingo reasoned.
"Hmm, any idea what language he speaks? I can try and arrange for a translator" The doctor said stroking his stubble.
"Not unless if you have someone who can speak Pokemon" Emmet said with a deadpan
"Pokemon?" He cocked an eyebrow. His audino waddled over to the boy, she greeted him with a happy purr and N nervously replied to her in a similar noise. "Fascinating" He stated in wonder "I didn't think it was possible" He turned his focus away from the child and back to Ingo "And you said you just found him wondering around all by himself?"
"Yes with a Zoroark, Only word we've gotten out of him was trying to get him to say his name, he couldn't get past the first symbol so we've been calling him N" The subway boss explained.
"We'll have to talk about his living arrangements in a moment, it's time to make sure N is alright and Healthy" He opened his bag and pulled out many instruments. Their pokemon still surrounded the young boy in an attempt to comfort him but it only went so far. N's discomfort was obvious by his nervous expression towards the doctor.
"Careful you don't get bit" Emmet warned as the doctor got close.
"Ha! It can't be that bad" He replied moving his stethoscope over the boy's heart, N's lips pushed back to reveal his teeth.
"No he's right, I got bit" Ingo replied still a bit embarrassed. Excadrill placed a claw over the boys mouth signalling him to stop, N relaxed a bit and Excadrill gave him a pat on the head.
"You won't bit me will you?" The doctor said with a smile as he looked at the ugly gash on the kids leg "That looks pretty bad" He took out his rubbing alcohol and wipes "It looks infected, i'll have to prescribe some antibiotics, It also looks like it might be a fracture but I'd need an X-ray to be sure." He poured the alcohol onto the cloth "This will sting" His Audino repeated what he had said, a cute little gimmick she always had, which in this situation proved itself to be useful.
N growled pitifully as it touched his skin. Excadrill had to hold the child back from lunging at the doctor. The man flinched but had a good chuckle "He's got a strong spirit which is good" He wrapped the gash up in a bandage "Now you need to keep off this leg young man" He pulled the knot tightly to finish the wrapping. "Now Ingo, it's your turn" He turned to the elder man.
Ingo blushed as he showed off his hand to the man, a bit embarrassed by the mark. He looked away with his fingers gently holding down the rim of his hat "That's a pretty hefty bite, the kid got you good" The doctor explained with a cheeky grin "I'll prescribe you some antibiotics too"
Ingo didn't say anything looking to his brother who was giggling in the corner, his attention was brought back by a small hand touching his softly, in addition to the doctors hand. He turned to see N staring up at him guilty and worried, a soft whine. Ingo gave him a soft smile as he ruffed his hair with his free hand. "It's alright, you were scared"
"Now that we have that sorted" The doctor looked back at the subway bosses "I am required to discuss the living arrangements of this kid. I'm not sure if he's an orphan or if he's a runaway but we need to get the authorities on the case. I can offer him a place in the children's ward at the hospital but this is a special case, I know he isn't bad but he seems very... defensive which could lead to people getting hurt. I know this is a lot to ask, but while I explain to the authorities, would it be alright if he says here?" He asked "I just think he needs a more hands on, one on one approach."
"I agree with you doctor" Ingo nodded, eyes closed and hand on chin. "However I would need to reach this decision with Emmet" he pulled Emmet's hand off the recliner "Excuse us for a second!" He shouted as he dragged Emmet into the hallway.
"Ingo, i'm glad you ask for my opinion" His brother said softly with a smile "I know that look on your face, you seem hesitant to say yes"
"I just know we have so many responsibilities with the Subway, where do we fit a child into that."
"We can depart on our vacation early, the depot agents can handle things while we are away. I know you want to help this boy Ingo and I am behind you 100%" He grinned with two thumbs up.
"You've always been the little devil on my shoulder" He said with a sigh "Alright, just till the Authorities can take care of it"
They entered back into the living room "Apologies Dr Tajiri!" He shouted as the dr blushed at the loudness, everyone knew Ingo was known for loudness "We have reached a decision and we are happy for N to say here till he can find his own station"
"I'm glad to hear it, you two are doing a wonderful thing" He pulled out a little note book. "here, the subscriptions and some pointers. Have a great rest of your night gentlemen"
"I can't believe we are doing this" Ingo said sitting on the couch his arms resting on the top. He looked to N "Well looks like you will be saying with us for a little while N" The boy nodded, Ingo swears the boy doesn't have any expression besides nervousness. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black he thought to himself.
Emmet picked up the remote and turned the tv on, causing the child to jump as sound suddenly came on and the screen lit up. He crawled over the couch and stared at the TV confused. The show was some soap opera, not that N cared as he tried to make sense of the moving video. Emmet changed the channel, it was a nature documentary, a large and majestic Braviary flew over the great desert. N's eyes lit up as he called out to the pokemon but it didn't answer his cries. galvantula the concept explained it to him. He made an ooh sound, he seems fascinated by it.
Emmet smiled at the reaction "Let's see how you like this one" He flicked the channel to one of a large stadium two proud pokemon stood in front of their trainers, a Gengar and a Nidorino. N looked up excitedly. Until they started to fight, the boys happy demeanour faded, eyes starting to swell up as the pokemon lunged at each other. He buried his face into Ingo's side, not wanting to look at the screen.
"Turn it off!" Ingo shouted as he held the small child gently "Shhh, it's alright" He tried to comfort.
"He doesn't like pokemon battles?" Emmet asked quietly to himself in disbelief. He never thought he'd see the day, kids love pokemon battles. Then again most kids weren't N.
"Apologies little one, I didn't know it would scare you" Ingo cooed.
"This might be harder then I thought" Emmet whispered. "We won't be able to take him to the station anytime soon."
"We'll ease him into, first things first, dinner" Ingo texted on his Xtransceiver "Elesa, is gonna grab us some food"
"That's good, I feel like eating something greasy and feeling bad about tomorrow morning" He said cheekily.
Ingo just allowed the child to stay their half laying on him as he pet galvantula that joined him on his lap. When the doorbell rung, Ingo didn't have to say anything, Emmet could see his hands were full "I'll get it." He opened the door. "Elesa, Thank you for coming!" He happily greeted.
"No prob, I had to see what this family emergency was" She stated in concern, she has been a long time friend to the brothers so it was concerning when ever they had an issue.
"The Emergency is currently cuddling Ingo" Emmet gestured to Ingo sitting there who gave Elesa a small wave.
"Is that?" Elesa asked in shock.
"Yes" Emmet merely replied. "He is N, we are fostering him" he explained.
"H-how did this happen?" She asked confused.
"Long story, let's eat while it's still hot." Emmet sat down with her on the recliners it was rare for her to sit in Ingo's seat.
Ingo gently nudged the child who had fallen asleep on him at one point. "Come on, time to eat"
N was still very jumpy about everyone's presence, it's like he briefly forgot who Ingo was before calming back down. He could smell the food, and just stared at it, his mouth salivating like he's never eaten before. Then he noticed Elesa and attempted to hide behind Ingo to be out of her eye sight.
"Shy little guy isn't he" Elesa cued.
"He seems really ill-adjusted to human interaction" Emmet filled in. "Ingo found him wondering the woods alone, It seems like he was raised by pokemon" He explained to her.
While his brother and Elesa spoke Ingo had is attention on N, "No need to hide little one, she is a friend, she brought you food" He pulled some food to his side "What would you like? A burger? Some fries?" N poked his head out sniffing the food before reaching out for the berry salad. Ingo had his luck cut out for him, a kid that liked to eat his greens. The kid certainty ate like a pokemon, stuffing it down his gullet as fast as he could. "No need to rush"
"You are the last guys I'd expect to look after a child" Elesa mused as she watched the duo in front of them.
"What makes you say that?" Emmet asked interested.
"You guys have no idea how to even speak to a child let alone raise one."
"I'm great with kids" Emmet replied.
"We both know that is a lie." She deadpanned. "It's getting late and the kid is barely staying awake, I'll be back tomorrow with some clothes for him, I'm sure Ingo would like his coat back"